Gyeonggi-do Launches Customized Safety Training and Capacity Building Program for Platform Workers

New Project Launched for Platform Workers’ Specialized Skills and Job Competency Development
Safety Education to Prevent Accidents and Promote a Culture of Safety Among Platform Workers

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 18th that it will actively promote projects from April to create a safe working environment and enhance the capabilities of platform workers.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition, ‘platform workers’ are those who provide services to unspecified organizations or individuals through online platforms and receive wages or income. As technological advancements and changes in industrial structures diversify the types of platform labor, the need for legal and institutional support is increasing. Representative platform workers include delivery workers, designated driver workers, and private tutor teachers.

This year, the newly introduced ‘Platform Workers’ Rights Improvement and Capacity Development Support Project’ and the existing ‘Platform Workers’ Safety Education Project’ will be the main focus.

The ‘Platform Workers’ Rights Improvement and Capacity Development Support Project’ aims to improve the capabilities and working conditions of platform workers. This project will establish a continuous information-sharing and cooperation network centered on mobile worker rest shelters within the province and provide customized education and support for workers.

Key components include ▲ operation of a public-private consultative body (four times a year) involving the province, platform companies, labor unions, and mobile worker rest shelters ▲ customized education in labor, finance, taxation, psychological healing, etc. (80 sessions annually, 1,600 participants) ▲ provision of supplies and rest coupons for heatwaves and cold spells (targeting 3,200 people).

The existing ‘Platform Workers’ Safety Education Project’ will also commence. It will conduct theoretical and practical training and awareness improvement campaigns for 1,000 delivery and designated driver workers, combining on-site safety education visits and online education to enhance accessibility.

In particular, motorcycle practical training will be strengthened to improve safe driving skills, and safety awareness campaigns will provide street promotions, safety supplies support, and motorcycle inspection services. Last year, 4,411 people completed safety education, 200 received practical training, and nine awareness improvement campaigns were conducted.

For inquiries about the projects, contact the Gyeonggi Province Labor Rights Division or the Gyeonggi Headquarters of the Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association. From April, detailed information will also be available on the Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association’s website.

Gyeonggi Province is working closely with the Gyeonggi Headquarters of the Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association, which promotes various mutual aid projects for platform workers, and plans to explore various measures such as expanding mutual aid projects beyond support projects to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Jo Sang-gi, head of the Gyeonggi Province Labor Rights Division, emphasized, “Although platform workers are important members of our society, many still remain in legal and institutional blind spots. We will do our best to ensure that this project leads to substantial improvements in workers’ rights.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.